These Latina And Hispanic Actresses Are Changing Hollywood For The Better
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This will come as no surprise, but let's put it out there anyway: Latina and Hispanic actresses have been leaving their mark on Hollywood for decades. From Dolores del Río, who put Latina actresses on the map with her first roles in 1920s silent films, to Jenna Ortega, the Disney actress turned scream queen, there's always been a Latina and/or Hispanic actress leading the way for those who come after them.
And yet Hollywood still hasn't caught up to the fact that, while there are so many talented Hispanic and Latinx actors, they remain underrepresented in film and television. Latinx actors held just 2.3 percent of top theatrical film acting roles in 2022, according to the 2023 UCLA Hollywood Diversity Report. Angered by the disproportionate amount of Latinx folks in the industry, more than 270 Latinx showrunners, creators, and television and feature writers wrote an open letter to Hollywood in October 2020, calling for systemic change, noting: "We refuse to be filtered through a White perspective."
"As we come to the end of Hispanic Heritage Month in the midst of a global pandemic and continued racial injustice, many of us in the Latinx community have found it difficult to celebrate," the letter stated. "Inspired by the activism of the Black and Indigenous communities, many of whom also identify as Latinx, we stand in solidarity with our fellow Black, Native and Indigenous writers, co-signing their WGAW Open Letters and echoing their demands for systemic change in our industry."
Three years later, some progress has been made, but more work needs to be done to ensure Latinx and Hispanic artists have equal representation, and support, in Hollywood as their non-Latinx counterparts. Even when Latinx folks get the opportunity to share their stories in film and TV series, such as Netflix’s Wednesday, HBO Max’s Gordita Chronicles, and the upcoming Snow White starring Rachel Zegler, they often lack the championing of Hollywood executives to stay on air for more than a few seasons, or even air at all.
But this may be the year that meaningful change happens in Hollywood. Many Latina and Hispanic actresses are not only doing the work to benefit their own communities, but they are also participating in the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike to fight for equal pay and treatment for all actors and screenwriters.
To learn more about these trailblazers and change-makers, check out this list of 61 talented Latina and Hispanic actresses who make your (film and television) world go 'round—and make sure to support their next project.
America Ferrera
I think I speak for everyone when I say America Ferrera *made* the Barbie movie. It just wouldn't have been the same super smash hit without her. But before she was tearing up the patriarchy one epic monologue at a time, the Superstore actress first made a splash as Betty Suarez in the early 2000s hit dramedy TV series Ugly Betty (which is now experiencing a well-deserved resurgence on Netflix).
In addition to being an incredibly talented actress, the 39-year-old is also a purveyor of Latinx voters and talent. In 2020, the Emmy-winning actress launched "She Se Puede," a platform designed to empower Latinx voters, with a fellow actress on this list, Eva Longoria. Additionally, from 2020 to 2021, she was an executive producer for Gentified, a Netflix series that touched on topics such as queerness, immigration, and gentrification.
Rachel Zegler
Rachel had her breakout moment as María in Steven Spielberg's 2021 adaptation of West Side Story, for which she won a Golden Globe (casual!). The actress, born to a Colombian mother, played the role alongside Rita Moreno (also on this list). Then, she went on to play Anthea in Shazam! Fury of the Gods.
What's next for the blossoming star? The booked and busy 22-year-old is set to play Lucy Gray Baird in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes—which, at the moment, is still set to premiere on November 17, 2023. She also has the titular role in Snow White, which will premiere in March 2024.
Ana de Armas
The Cuban-Spanish actress made it onto the scene at only 16 years old, playing Marie in 2006's Una rosa de Francia. Since then, Ana has starred in various popular films, including Knives Out, No Time to Die, Blade Runner 2049, and Ghosted. Notably, she starred as Norma Jean, a.k.a. Marilyn Monroe, in Blonde—for which she received an Oscar nomination.
Selena Gomez
Even if you know Selena for her mega hits on the radio—or her killer line of blushes—don't forget that her roots are in acting! After landing a role on Barney & Friends at just 7 years old, Selena went on to star as Alex Russo in Disney's Wizards of Waverly Place, and is now in another New York-based comedy, Only Murders in The Building alongside Martin Short and Steve Martin.
As if all that weren't enough, the actress has also devoted a lot of her career to mental health advocacy and owns the website Wondermind, which focuses on being the first "mental fitness ecosystem."
Jenna Ortega
The Mexican-Puerto Rican actress became a household name in the last year with her starring role of Wednesday Addams on the hit Netflix series Wednesday.
You might also know Jenna from her role as Ellie Alves in the hit Netflix series You, but before then, the 20-year-old (who has been acting since she was 9) starred in countless television shows and films, including Jane the Virgin, Insidious: Chapter 2, and Disney's Stuck in the Middle.
Jennifer Lopez
The one and only J.Lo has been on the scene since 1991 with her first gig dancing as one of the "Fly Girls" on sketch comedy show In Living Color. After that, the multi-hyphenate star snagged the role of beloved Tejano singer Selena in the 1997 biopic by the same name.
Since then, the actress/singer/fashion icon/entrepreneur has been in more than 40 movies and TV shows. She also holds producer credits for films and series such as The Fosters, Marry Me, and Hustlers, for which she won a Hollywood Critics Association Award. More recently, she appeared in the drama The Mother, and the action rom-com Shotgun Wedding.
Camila Mendes
Camila Mendes, 29, first stole hearts with her breakout role as Veronica Lodge in Riverdale. In 2022, she became everyone's favorite try-hard in the Netflix hit Do Revenge. Off-screen, the actress is a very public advocate for those who suffer from eating disorders, and serves as a member of the global advisory council for CARE.
Salma Hayek
You might recognize the Mexican-American actress from her breakout role as artist Frida Kahlo in the 2002 film Frida, for which she was nominated in the Best Actress category at the Academy Awards.
In addition to directing the family movie The Maldonado Miracle, Salma has starred in several other film roles, including Desperado, From Dusk Till Dawn, Spy Kids 3: Game Over, Eternals, and House of Gucci.
Camila Morrone
Camila is an Argentinian-American model and actress (and also Al Pacino's "stepdaughter"). The 26-year-old got her start in the 2013 film Bukowski, a biography of writer Charles Bukowski.
You may recognize her from her more recent role as Camila Dunne in Daisy Jones & The Six.
Jessica Alba
The Fantastic Four actress has also starred in some of your other favorite movies and television shows, including L.A.'s Finest, Dark Angel, and Sin City.
Like many of her multitalented colleagues, Jessica is also an entrepreneur. She launched Honest Company—home to an array of all-natural household and beauty products—in 2011. Now, the company even has its own television show, Honest Renovations, which is similar to Extreme Makeover: Home Edition—except, they simply renovate a space instead of creating a new one.
The previous Women's Health cover star told WH that running her company has helped Jessica learn a lot about the areas where she can grow: "At every stage, I learned that fun lesson."
Xochitl Gomez
You probs fell in love with Xochitl as Dawn Schafer in Netflix's The Baby-Sitters Club. Other than taking on a key role in the beloved book series turned television show, the 17-year-old Mexican-American actress and Los Angeles native played America Chavez in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and in the upcoming Avengers: Secret Wars movie.
But before she continues to kick butt with her fellow superheroes, Xochitl is kicking it on the latest season of Dancing With The Stars.
Aubrey Plaza
Fun fact about Aubrey? She actually worked as an NBC page before starring as the beloved April Ludgate on the hit NBC sitcom Parks and Recreation. The 39-year-old has also starred in the FX Drama series Legion, as well as several films, including Funny People, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, Happiest Season, and Black Bear. Most recently, you may recognize Aubrey from the second season of The White Lotus, or Emily The Criminal.
Rita Moreno
With a career spanning more than 70 years, it's a no-brainer that Rita Moreno is one of the actors who paved the way for other Latinx performers.
The Puerto Rican actress first made her mark as a 14-year-old in the Broadway production of Skydrift. Since then, she has not only nabbed EGOT status, but starred in numerous Broadway, film, and television productions, including West Side Story (both the original and the 2021 remake), The King and I, Jane the Virgin, One Day at a Time, and Where on Earth Is Carmen Sandiego?
Lupe Vélez
Another actress who helped forge the path for today's Latinx talent in Hollywood, Lupe Vélez was a Mexican actress who starred in films such as The Gaucho, Stand and Deliver, and Half-Naked Truth, as well as Broadway's You Never Know, by Cole Porter.
Liza Colón-Zayas
Liza Colón-Zayas is a Bronx-born Puerto Rican, and stars in The Bear as Tina. The actress will also appear in the upcoming Cat Person film, inspired by the viral New Yorker short story. Although the 51-year-old actress just broke into the mainstream this year, she has been acting since 1994, and often uses her social media to promote causes she cares about—such as informing followers of gentrification in Puerto Rico, or posting selfies at a SAG-AFTRA picket line.
Eva Longoria
If you didn't absolutely fall in love with Eva as Gabrielle Solis in the hit ABC show Desperate Housewives, then you have elsewhere. Whether it's because of her role as Isabella Braña Williams on The Young and The Restless or her work with the Eva Longoria Foundation—which was built to better the lives of Latinas through education and entrepreneurship—there's a lot to love about the 48-year-old actress.
When creating her 2023 film Flamin' Hot, which tells the story of a Latino Frito Lay janitor who helped create Flamin' Hot Cheetos, the former Women's Health cover star says that hiring Latinos was very important to her: “It was Latino or Latina, all the way down the line.”
Sofia Vergara
Sure, you might currently be loving Sofia as one of the judges on America's Got Talent, but America first fell for the Colombian-American actress in her role as Gloria Delgado-Pritchett in the 11-year-run of Modern Family, which, BTW, made her the highest paid actress in American television from 2013 to 2020.
Before then, Sofia got her start in the late 1990s, co-hosting two shows for Spanish-language television network Univision. The 51-year-old has also starred in Hot Pursuit and Chef and was the voice of Carmen in Happy Feet Two.
Anya Taylor-Joy
You probably recognize Argentinian-British actress Anya as chess prodigy Beth Harmon from Netflix's The Queen's Gambit. That role turned Anya into a household name, but she's been around for a while. You've probably also seen the 27-year-old in Emma, The Menu, Last Night in Soho, or as Gina Gray in British television series Peaky Blinders, or as Olga in The Northman.
Justina Machado
You might have caught Justina lighting up the dance floor alongside partner Sasha Farber on Dancing With the Stars Season 29, where she was runner-up to Kaitlyn Bristowe of Bachelorette fame.
The 51-year-old actress is constantly working, with roles in several of your favorite shows, including One Day at a Time, Jane the Virgin, Grey's Anatomy, Ugly Betty, and Superstore.
Zoe Saldana
Zoe made her film debut as Eva Rodriguez in Center Stage, the 2000 film about surviving the cutthroat world of professional ballet. Since then, the 45-year-old has also starred in the Avatar franchise, Guardians of the Galaxy, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, and Star Trek. NBD.
Alexis Bledel
Whether you watched her as Rory Gilmore on the hit TV series Gilmore Girls when it first aired in 2000, or you caught up on the Dean vs. Jess drama during the 2016 stream fest on Netflix, you probably already know Alexis Bledel.
You might have also spotted the the 41-year-old star in Tuck Everlasting, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, or, most recently, as Emily Malek in The Handmaid's Tale. Up next? Catch Alexis in the Sisterhood 0f the Traveling Pants 3 as she reprises her role as Lena Kaligaris (stay tuned for its release, but trust that it's coming!).
María Montez
The Dominican actress was known as "Queen Of The Technicolor" after appearing in a string of filmed-in-Technicolor adventure films in the 1940s. Arabian Nights, Cobra Woman, Wicked City, and Siren of the Atlantis were just a few of the films Montez appeared in.
Camilla Belle
Pay close attention to the movie Practical Magic, and you might notice Camilla in the role of 11-year-old Sally Owens (the part Sandra Bullock plays as an adult throughout the film). Today, the 36-year-old actress has snagged roles in Dollface, When A Stranger Calls, Law & Order: Organized Crime, and Push.
Eva Mendes
Women's Health cover star Eva pressed pause on acting after her role in Lost River, a 2014 film directed by her partner, Ryan Gosling. But her parts in various popular films—Hitch, The Other Guys, and The Place Beyond the Pines, to name a few—most certainly helped pave the way for other Latina actresses.
Judy Reyes
Judy played nurse Carla Espinosa for eight years in the hit 2000s show, Scrubs. More recently, you can catch the 55-year-old actress in Devious Maids, One Day at a Time, Jane the Virgin, and Claws.
Next for Judy: She's starring in the upcoming film Turtles All the Way Down, inspired by the John Green book of the same name.
Michelle Rodriguez
Michelle's breakout role as Diana Guzman in Girlfight was met with critical acclaim, earning her several awards, including a Gotham Award for Best Debut Performance.
Since then, the 45-year-old actress has starred as Letty in the Fast & Furious franchise and as Ana Lucia Cortez in the hit ABC drama series Lost.
Roselyn Sánchez
In addition to being an actress, Roselyn is also a singer-songwriter, producer, writer, model, and dancer. You can catch the Puerto Rican 50-year-old as Elena Delgado in Without a Trace and Carmen Luna on Lifetime's Devious Maids.
Alexa Demie
Alexa Demie, 32, is most known for her role as Maddy Perez in Euphoria, but she's also starred in indie films like Waves and Mid90s. She also appeared as her Euphoria character in the first episode of The Idol.
Barbie Ferreira
Barbie Ferreira, 26, is also known for her Euphoria character, Kat Hernandez, however she announced that she would not return to the series following creative differences with director Sam Levinson. “Sam writes, for like, things that he relates to. I don’t think he relates to Kat. I like Kat, so I get to go on my own path," she said of her departure on Armchair Expert with Dax Shepherd.
Barbie has also starred in Nope and Unpregnant.
Katy Jurado
Katy was a Mexican actress who hit the scene in the 1940s and '50s with films like High Noon, The Badlanders, and Bullfighter and the Lady. Notable? Katy rose to fame during what has been known as the Golden Age of Mexican cinema.
Rosie Perez
Born in Bushwick, Brooklyn, the Puerto Rican-American actress made her mark on Hollywood as Tina in Spike Lee's 1989 film Do the Right Thing. Since then, she's starred in White Men Can't Jump, Riding in Cars with Boys, Lipstick Jungle, and, most recently, as Megan Briscoe in The Flight Attendant. She also played Flora Neruda in Now and Then, and voices Petra in the Big Mouth spin-off Human Resources.
Christian Serratos
More than 20 years after J.Lo played the part of Selena Quintanilla, it was Christian who filled the role as the Tejano singer in Netflix's Selena: The Series. "As a Mexican girl, I’ve always wanted to be Selena, so the fact that I was getting this opportunity to play her and bring a little bit of her spirit back was so meaningful to me," she told Good Housekeeping.
The 32-year-old actress has also starred in the Twilight movies, Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide, The Secret Life of the American Teenager, and most popularly, The Walking Dead.
Melissa Barrera
The Carmen actress kicked off her career with roles in telenovelas, including Siempre tuya Acapulco and Club de Cuervos. You might also recognize her as barrio sweetheart Vanessa from In the Heights and Liv Rivera in Netflix's new survival thriller, Keep Breathing, for which she performed some of her own stunts. She's also appeared more recently in Scream VI.
When comparing her stunt experiences in her native Mexico to her experiences in the U.S., Barrera told WH last year, “I find that in the United States, there's more rules and people are more afraid of actors getting hurt. In Mexico, I was like, ‘I wanna fall off that ledge. Can I do it?’ And they'd be like, ‘Yeah, sure, if you want to.’”
Stephanie Beatriz
The Argentine-American actress killed it as Carla in In the Heights, but you probably also recognize her as Detective Rosa Diaz from Brooklyn Nine-Nine, or as the voice of Mirabel Madrigal in Disney's Encanto.
Next, catch the 42-year-old in the action-comedy TV series Twisted Metal on Peacock.
Paz Vega
Movie lovers likely know Paz best from 2004's Spanglish, where she played Flor, a nanny and housekeeper for the not-exactly-together Clasky family. But that's only scratching the surface of her career—the 47-year-old Spanish actress has also starred in All Roads Lead to Rome, Acts of Vengeance, and 10 Items or Less.
Dascha Polanco
Other than her role as Cuca in In the Heights, you likely also recognize Dascha from Orange Is the New Black, where she starred as Dayanara "Daya" Diaz, and, more recently, as the adult voice of Cucu in HBO Max's Gordita Chronicles. The 40-year-old has also had roles in Netflix's Russian Doll and When They See Us, amongst others.
Victoria Justice
The actress (and singer) is best known for her role in Nickelodeon's television series Victorious, as well as films The First Time, Fun Size, and the upcoming California King.
Morena Baccarin
The Brazilian-American actress is best known for her role as Inara Serra in the sci-fi series Firefly. You can also catch her in Serenity, as Vanessa in Deadpool, and as Leslie Thompkins in the Gotham television series.
Odette Annable
Born to a Colombian father and Cuban mother, Odette is known for her various roles in both film and television, including as Dr. Jessica Adams in House, Samantha Arias in Supergirl, and Beth McIntyre in Cloverfield.
Dolores del Río
Let's give some props to Dolores, a Mexican actress who had a more than 50-year-long career, starring in films like Flying Down to Rio, Bird of Paradise, and The Trail of '98. Since her death in 1983, she has been recognized as one of the first Latina movie stars to have a major Hollywood career.
Eiza González
If you didn't catch Eiza in Netflix thriller I Care A Lot alongside Rosamund Pike, stream it ASAP after scrolling through this list.
The 33-year-old actress scored her first role as Dolores 'Lola' Valente in the Mexican musical telenovela Lola. From there, she's starred in the television series From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series, and films like Welcome to Marwen, Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw, and, most recently, as Cam Thompson in Ambulance. Next, she'll appear in 3 Body Problem, per IMDb.
Mishel Prada
Born to a Dominican mother and Puerto Rican father, the 33-year-old's acting career took off in TV mini series Fear the Walking Dead: Passage after it was nominated for an Emmy. She also portrayed Emma in the television series Vida, as well as Hermosa Lodge in Riverdale.
Leslie Grace
The 28-year-old In the Heights actress released her self-titled sophomore album in 2013, earning her a Grammy nomination before she even graduated high school.
Since being cast as Nina Rosario in In the Heights, Leslie was set to fight supervillains as Barbara Gordon, a.k.a. Batgirl, in HBO Max's upcoming Batgirl—the first Latina to play the role. However, in August 2022, Warner Bros. decided to cancel the release of the movie, citing rising costs for a theatrical release, per The Hollywood Reporter.
Kate del Castillo
At just 19, Kate became known for her role as Leticia Bustamante in the telenovela Muchachitas. Now, the 50-year-old has starred in a number of television and film productions, including Under the Same Moon, La Reina del Sur, Bad Boys for Life, and A Miracle in Spanish Harlem.
Gina Torres
Best known for starring in sci-fi series Firefly, legal drama Suits, and its spin-off Pearson, Gina is a New York native born to Cuban-American parents.
In her nearly 30-year acting career, she's also appeared in 24, Revenge, Hannibal, and Westworld. Oh, and fun fact: The 54-year-old actress is a talented mezzo soprano who professionally trained in opera and jazz. Who knew?!
Jordana Brewster
Jordana hit the scene in 1995 taking on the role of Anita Santos in All My Children. She has since acted in several films, namely the Fast & Furious franchise, where she plays the part of Mia. The 43-year-old actress has also starred in a variety of television shows, including Dallas, American Crime Story, and Lethal Weapon.
Raquel Welch
Talk about a Latina icon. Raquel became a household name after her role as Loana in the 1966 film One Million Years B.C. (Yes, the one where she wears that swimsuit.)
She has since starred in a long list of films and television shows, including Bandolero!, The Last of Sheila, CSI: Miami, and Date My Dad.
Melissa Fumero
Yes, you love, love, love her as Amy Santiago on Brooklyn Nine-Nine, right? But the 41-year-old actress has also starred in One Life to Live, Marvel's M.O.D.O.K., and Elena of Avalor.
You can also check her out as Eliza in the TV series Blockbuster.
Constance Marie
Constance is best known for her role as Angie Lopez, who she played opposite George Lopez—in the show by the same name—for five years.
You can also spot the 58-year-old actress in Selena (the J.Lo version), Switched at Birth, Elena of Avalor, and, more recently, as Beatriz Diaz in the television series With Love.
Ana Brenda Contreras
Ana got her on-screen start in telenovelas, starring in Sortilegio and Teresa, amongst others. Most recently, you may have caught the 36-year-old actress as Cristal Jennings in The CW's reboot of the 1980s series Dynasty.
Nathalie Kelley
Born in Peru to a Peruvian mother and Argentinian father, Nathalie snagged her first acting role as Neela in The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift. The 38-year-old also starred in Dynasty as Cristal Flores, The Vampire Diaries as Sybil, and The Baker and the Beauty.
Michelle Veintimilla
Michelle first arrived on the scene as Janie in the 2014 film Not Cool. The 30-year-old recently starred in ABC's crime thriller, Big Sky, having previously nabbed roles in The Beauty and the Baker, The Good Wife, and Fox's Gotham.
Julissa Calderon
Julissa's breakout role came in the form of Yessika Castillo in Netflix's Gentefied, which is produced by America Ferrera (also on this list). Since then, the 34-year-old has played Annie in With Love and herself in the Netflix comedy series Go Off with Jess & Julissa.
Oh, and in 2020, Variety named her one of the top 10 Latinx actors to watch. NBD.
Sofia Carson
While your kiddos may have fallen in love with Sofia in her role as Evie in Disney's Descendants, you may have also seen the 30-year-old Colombian-American actress in Songbird, Feel the Beat, and Freeform's Famous In Love. More recently, you may have caught her in the polarizing Purple Hearts on Netflix.
Gina Rodriguez
Okay, so you probs loved Gina as Jane Villanueva in The CW's satirical telenovela series Jane the Virgin. The 39-year-old actress received a Golden Globe Award for the role in 2015, and since then has starred in Miranda July's Kajillionaire, the Netflix non-rom-com Someone Great, and as the voice of Gina Alvarez in the Netflix animated series Big Mouth.
You can also see Gina star as Nell Serrano in Not Dead Yet.
Rosario Dawson
You might recognize Rosario from her roles in Sin City, Rent, Seven Pounds, or Jane the Virgin. Most recently, the 44-year-old actress stars as Alma Ortego in HBO Max's TV mini series DMZ. You can also catch the Puerto Rican and Cuban actress as single mom Gabbie in Disney's 2023 remake of The Haunted Mansion.
Rita Hayworth
During the 1940s (and beyond), Rita was the A-list actress, starring in films like Cover Girl, Gilda, and My Gal Sal. Born to a father of Spanish descent, the late actress' real name was Margarita Carmen Cansino. Fun fact? She appeared in 61 films over 37 years.
Penélope Cruz
You've probably fallen in love with this Spanish actress in any number of her television and movie roles, including Vicky Cristina Barcelona, American Crime Story, Murder On the Orient Express, Volver, and Pirates of the Caribbean.
More recently, you can catch the 49-year-old as Janis in Pedro Almodóvar's Parallel Mothers and as Graciela Rivera in Simon Kinberg's The 355.
Lee Rodriguez
You probs loved Lee as Fabiola Torres in Netflix's Never Have I Ever (same). Other than her role in the hit high school comedy series, you can also spot the 23-year-old in the Snap TV series Class of Lies, and as Naomi in Grown-ish.
Jessica Marie Garcia
You might recognize Jessica from her role as Willow Cruz in Disney's Liv and Maddie. Since then, the 36-year-old actress of Mexican and Cuban descent has starred in How to Get Away with Murder, Diary of a Future President, and as Jasmine in Netflix's On My Block.
Isabella Gomez
Isabella Gomez is probably best known for her role in the One Day At A Time reboot. However, she's also starred in The Goldbergs and Big Hero 6: The Series, per IMDb. The star has been vocal about her dedication to the SAG-AFTRA strike on Instagram, and recently received approval to star in the upcoming indie horror The Mannequin, per Deadline.
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